S.D. regents stand behind hiring of Wilson at Mines

Jun. 12, 2013

Jack Warner

Written by

Kristi Eaton

Associated Press

A report showing that the incoming president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology collected almost half a million dollars in questionable payments has not changed the Board of Regents’ support in her hiring, the executive director of the board said Tuesday.

Heather Wilson failed to provide documentation for work she did to earn payments from four federally funded nuclear labs, a Department of Energy inspector general report shows. The questionable payments included $20,000 Wilson received a month from New Mexico’s Los Alamos and Sandia national labs from 2009 to 2011.

“I think as I understand a bit of this, because I have been in touch with her, I think the report cited the agencies not adequately documenting work. My best information indicates that Heather Wilson performs what is expected of her,” Jack Warner said.

Warner said Wilson contacted him to let him know the report might be released soon.

The Board of Regents unanimously approved the hiring of Wilson, a former U.S. representative, in April, after the death of Robert Wharton. Her contract is for one year and her salary is $321,360.

While Wilson begins next week as president of the 2,400-student school, Warner said she already is focusing on the big issues at the school, including fall enrollment, housing and research initiatives.

The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology has close ties to the Sanford Underground Research Lab in Lead, a facility 4,850 feet underground supported in part by the Department of Energy.

Wilson’s previous work with labs was a key component to her hiring, Warner said.

“The connection between the school and that facility is very important to us,” he said, adding that he does not anticipate the report affecting the relationship between the school, the lab and the Department of Energy.

A School of Mines & Technology spokesperson said the school would not comment.